If you have been fishing on the Green River or North Pacolet River, you may have seen the signs below. Wherever these signs are displayed, fishing enthusiasts should follow the regulations posted on them.

Trout streams in North Carolina are categorized by six different classifications. The regulations for each classification are explained below. This information came from the N.C. Wildlife web page.

Hatchery supported

These waters make up over half of all trout waters in North Carolina. They cover approximately 1,100 miles of streams. Most of these streams receive at least one stocking per year of catchable size fish. Here is a breakdown of the hatchery supported regulations:

Season is open from July 1, 2009, to February 28, 2010

No fishing allowed from March 1, 2010, to April 2, 2010

Then from 7:00am April 3, 2010 to February 28, 2011

There is no bait or lure restriction

There is no size limit restriction

There is a seven (7) fish per day creel limit

Catch and release

artificial flies only waters

In these waters, you must release fish once caught and you can only use artificial flies. Here is a breakdown of the catch and release, artificial flies regulations:

Season is open year-round

No fish may be harvested or possessed

Only artificial flies having one single hook may be used

It is unlawful to possess natural bait on your person while fishing

It is unlawful to use more than one line per person

It is unlawful to fish from one-half hour after sunset, to one-half hour before sunrise on any catch and release stream located on game lands

It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from catch and release waters

It is unlawful to move wild fish from one stream to another on game lands without prior written authorization from the NCWRC

Delayed harvest waters

These are stocked trout waters open to fishing year-round, but trout caught between October 1 and the first Saturday in June must be immediately released. You cannot keep or have in your possession any trout while fishing these waters during this time. Single-hook, artificial lures or flies are required during the October-June period. Beginning the first Saturday in June, harvest of trout from these waters is allowed, and anglers can use natural bait. Hatchery supported trout regulations apply during this time. Beginning October 1, these waters revert back to delayed harvest trout regulations. Harvest of trout is again prohibited and anglers must use single hook artificial lures or flies.

Here is a breakdown of the delayed harvest regulations:

From October 1, 2009 to June 4, 2010:

You may only use single hook artificial lures

No fish may be harvested or possessed

No fishing allowed at all between half an hour after sunset on June 4, 2010 and 6 a.m. on June 5, 2010.

At 6 a.m., June 5, these waters open to fishing for youths under 16 years old under Hatchery Supported regulations.

At 12 p.m. on June 5, these waters open for all anglers under hatchery supported regulations.

No bait restrictions

No minimum length limit

Seven (7) trout per day creel limit.

Catch and release, artificial lures only waters

In these waters, you may catch the fish but you must release them back and you can only use artificial lures in doing so.

Here is a breakdown of the catch and release, artificial lures regulations:

Season is open year-round

No fish may be harvested or possessed

Only artificial lures having one single hook may be used

It is unlawful to possess natural bait on your person while fishing

It is unlawful to use more than one line per person

It is unlawful to fish from one-half hour after sunset, to one-half hour before sunrise on any catch and release stream located on game lands

It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from catch and release waters

It is unlawful to move wild fish from one stream to another on game lands without prior written authorization from the NCWRC

Wild waters

Here is a breakdown of the wild waters regulations:

You can only use a single hook artificial lure

You can only keep four (4) fish

The four fish must be at least seven (7) inches long

It is unlawful to possess natu ral bait on your person while fishing

It is unlawful to use more than one line per person

Except in the following areas: Nantahala River downstream from the Swain County line and in the sections of Green River in Polk County located on Green River Game Lands from the confluence with Cove Creek, downstream to Brights Creek:

It is unlawful to fish from one-half hour after sunset, to one-half hour before sunrise

It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from wild waters

It is unlawful to place hatchery-reared fish into a wild trout stream or move wild fish from one stream to another on game lands without prior written authorization from the NCWRC

Wild trout, natural bait waters

Here is a breakdown of the regulations for wild trout, natural bait waters:

Season is open year-round

You can use a single hook artificial lure (or)

You can use a single hook with natural bait

You can only keep four (4) fish

The four fish must be at least seven (7) inches long

It is unlawful to use more than one line per person

It is unlawful to fish from one-half hour after sunset, to one-half hour before sunrise

It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from wild trout, natural bait waters

It is unlawful to place hatchery-reared fish into a wild trout stream or move wild fish from one stream to another on game lands without prior written authorization from the NCWRC